The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-09-24

we better change the subject"
 "Thank you," said he, "but as the subject of my story is now pleasantly situated in life, with prosperous and devoted husband and a bright little child, and with all the comforts of a happy home, it will not distress me nor interfere with my good appetite to tell it.
 "The event in question occurred over twenty years ago, in the city of Chi cago. l then lived near the corner of Michigan avenue and Twelfth street, and was engaged in the grain conn., mission business. also owned fifth interest in foundry engaged in the manufacture of light castings. Iowned the home we lived in. My wife was the only daughter of one of the car Hest settlers in the city. We were much devoted to each other, and, take it all together, I was considered quite prosperous for a young man. A lit tie girl was born to us, and for about five years nothing occurred to mar our happiness. My wife would meet me every night with smile and loving caress. She was very affection ate ill her disposition, and I am very thankful to remember that 1 never gave her cross word or look while she lived. In the meantime our little Mabel was growing into a sweet child, and was loved by all who came in contact with her. Her gentle bear ing, her good temper and her generous nature (traits that one would not look for in one of her tender years) won her hosts of friends. Here is her pie ture as she appeared then" And he handed me a small photograph from an inner pocket. It was the picture of very pretty, intelligent looking child. Her features were regular, the face being oval in shape and the mouth rather small. The eyes, with long lashes, were looking upward a head ot golden hair surmounted this re- markably beautiful face On the child's breast, suspended by gold necklace, was handsome diamond cross. The picture itself, in point of artistic skill, was splendidly executed. Well, my companion resumed, as he carefully replaced the picture, "time went on, and as Mabel grew older it was her custom to meet me near the house on my return home from my office.
 "At the end of one pleasant day in September l closed my desk, and glancing at my watch, saw, to my annoyance, that I was twenty or twenty five minutes behind my usual going home time. l hurriedly left, and, hailing passing car, was soon walking toward the house on Michi- gan avenue. l noticed that Mabel did , not meet me, and supposed she was in the house with her mother.
 "The servant opened the door for me, and immediately inquired for Mabel. l brushed past her and went into the dining room, where my wife was just sitting at the table to pour the tea.
 One glance between us, and simul- taneously we asked, Where's Mabel?'
 "'She went to meet you fully twenty minutes ago. said my wife, rapidly. As she arose, we both rushed to the door. l seized my hat and ran to the gate, looked up and down the street, then opened the gate and walked hurriedly to group of chil- dren playing near by.
 "'Oh, Mr. Clark, let Mabel come and play with us,' cried one little girl.
 "I don't know where Mabel is,' re- piled 1, vacantly.
 "The child had never been out of sight of her mother or myself, and as l did not find her with the children, my anxiety and fears increased. Sud- denly thought of the diamond cross, which, by the way, you might have noticed in the picture. This cross was the gift of my own mother to Mabel in her will. The child was very proud of it, and we allowed her to wear it once in while, but never out of her parents sight. Close question: ing developed the fact that one of the servants had placed this cross on Ma
 befs neck that afternoon. The cross : and necklace were worth over one thou sand dollars. Here, then, seemed to
 be q case of robbery, followed by kid
 mapping. hunted for Mabel up and down the avenue, without success. ) 'When 1 returned to the house, found my wife pale with anxiety
 She, too, had ransacked the house for our little one with no better success l The neighbors joined in the search ! but one and all were unsuccessful. 3 'I afterwards went to the police sta , tion and gave description of oul l lost darling which was telegraphed ! over the city. The papers next day 9 also contained an account of the mat l ter.
 Q "I returned home about one o'clocl t the next morning and found my wife t crying bitterly, with a few kindly disposed neighbors around her offer. n ing their sympathies. But, ah, wh,